GB2130628A - Window frame arrangement - Google Patents

Abstract

A window arrangement including an espagnolette window fitting, in which the turning of one handle locks or unlocks a window at a plurality of different points around the window frame comprises an outward opening window including a vent frame (3) with an upstand (5) and an espagnolette fitting, the gearing (10) of which is located within the upstand (5). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in window frames and associated fittings This invention relates to improvements in window frames and their fittings, especially to espagnolette window fittings.

Many developments are now being made in window frames and window fittings associated therewith.

This is especially apparent in Europe where very elegant and well-designed windowfittings are available. One ofthe most popularwindowfittings is the espagnolette-typeclosure in which the turning of one handle locks or unlocks a window at a plurality of different points around the window frame. This method of closure may be used with both open-in and open-out windows, but this application relates solely to open-outwindowswith either side hinges or top hinges.

Atypical open-out window comprises an outer frame onto which is mounted a vent frame which surrounds the edges of the glass of the window. The glass is held in a groove within the ventframe. The window frame is formed to provide an enclosed space located between this groove and the edge of the vent frame The inside wall ofthis groove is formed by an innerupstandoftheventframe.The handleofan espagnolettefitting is usually placed on the outside wall ofthe inner upstand of the vent frame. Along one ofthe edges of the vent frame, which comes into contact with the outer frame is a metal strip known as a face plate which carries roller cams.The corresponding edge of the outerframe carries a metal or plastic plate known as a striking plate which includes slots which are positioned so that when the vent frame is closed and secured by turning the handle, the roller cams engage the slots in the striking plate. On turning the handle to open the window the roller cams slide out of the slot orslotsto disengage the striking plate and unlockthewindow. The gearing mechanism whichconvertstheturning motionofthehandletothe reciprocating motion oftheface plate hasconventionallybeen situated within the vent frame in the space defined between the base ofthe groove and the edge of the vent frame on which the face plate is mounted.

Many espagnolette fittings have been designed to be positioned in a window in this way. This is very popular in Germany where the depth of the inner vent frame, that is the distance between the base of the groove containing the glass and the edge ofthe vent frame on which the face plate is mounted is very wide.

With the advent of aluminium windows and more recentlyplasticwindowsthe profile of the windows is becoming much slimmer and especially the depth of the vent frame, that is the depth of the space between the base of the groove and the edge of the vent frame onwhichtheface plate is mounted is being rapidly decreased. This means that the gearing which con verbs the rotary movement of the handleto the reciprocating movement of the face plate will not fit into this space.Thus, many manufacturers have in fact abandoned the use of the superior espagnolette fittings and returned to conventional British fittings, in which a handle attached to the vent frame incorporates an integral projection which engages a wedge or groove in the outer fixed frame when the handle is turned. With a normal size open-outwindowoftentwo separate handles are required to achieve satisfactory sealing ofthe closed window.

However it is desirable to use the elegant espag nolettefittings on windows since they can lock the windows in more than one position but only have one handle. The normal way of positioning the espag nolettefitting is to place the gearing in the space between the base of the groove and the edge of the ventframe, butthis meansthatthegearing protrudes through the vent frame into the groove, between the two panes of glass in the case of a double-glazed window, or to the side of one pane of glass. However this solution is unsatisfactory since the base of the groove has to have a space cut out of itto accommodate the gearing.

The depth of the gearing cannot be decreased since the centre of the gearing has to line up with the spindle passing through the handle. The outer frame of a window often includes an inner upstand which protrudes from the edge of the outer frame. To allow correct opening and closing the handle must clearthis inner upstand of the outerframe. This contributes to the depth of the gearing.

Such positioning ofthe gearing means that the integrity ofthe base ofthe groove is destroyed. Thus any water entering the windowframe th rough any sealing around the glass will drop into the base ofthe groove and into the space between the base of the groove and the edge of the vent frame.

This will result in rusting and deterioration ofthe gearing, the spindle and the handles and could eventually lead to seizure ordestructionthrough corrosion of the gearing or handle.

Covering the sealing of the hole in the base of the groove is not satisfactory.

Another method of overcoming the problem isto place the gearing totally on the inside surface of the ventframe. This gives a very inferior action and clumsyappearanceastheespagnoletteis required to be especially designed to fit in this way so that none of the conventional well developed espagnolettefittings can be used.

According to thins invention a window frame for an open-outwindowincludesaventframewith an inner upstand,thewindowalso including an espagnolette fitting, the gearing of said fitting being located within said upstand.

Thus the gearing does not penetrate any ofthe groove holding the glass. This position for the gearing is ideal since the depth is great enough to accommodate the gearing. Conventional espagnolette-type window fittings and operating handles may be used which saves costs on development and design of alternative fittings. The appearance of such a window is elegent and neatsincethegearing is totally enclosed and concealed.

This window frame may be made of any plastics material, of aluminium, or of wood.

The ventframe may have a solid inner upstand which has a hole drilled out of itto accommodate the gearing but preferablythe inner upstandishollow and so no modification is required to accommodatethe gearing.

This particular location of the gearing of the espagnolettefitting may be used in a frame for one or more panes of glass.

An example of a windowframe in accordance with the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing which is a cross-section of the bottom edgeoftheventframeofatop hinged open-outwindow with the top ofthe outer frame.

Awindowframe 1 comprises an outerframe 2 which is fixed to a wall and a ventframe 3which surrounds the pane ofglass (not shown).Thevent frame includes a groove4which accommodates the glass. The inner wall of the groove 4 informed by the hollowvertical upstand 5 ofthe ventframe 3. Aspace 6 is defined between the base of the groove 4 and the edge of the ventframe 3.

The vent frame 3 is extruded out of plastics material with two hollow chambers Sand 6. The outer frame 2 comprises a substantially L-shaped plastic extruded shape comprising three hollow chambers. The outer wall of the groove 4 is formed by the bead 7 which is placed in position when the glass has been inserted into the groove 4. The bead is also hollow and extruded plastic. The window frame t includes an espagnolettefitting comprising a handle 8, located on the ventframe 3 which when turned operates a spingle 9which projects into the hollow upstand 5 to cooperate with gearing mechanism 10 situated therein.This moves roller cams 11 supported by theface plate 12 into slots 13 carried in a striking plate 14. The striking plate 14 is fixed to the outer frame 2.

To disengage the roller cams 11 from the striking plate 14 the turning of the handle 8 causes the face plate 12 to move from a locked position where the roller cams 11 are in contact with the slots 13 to an unlocked position where the roller cams 11 are not in contact with the slots 13.

In an alternative embodiment in accordance with the present invention the lockcase incorporating the gearing mechanism (equivalentto item 10 of the embodiment described above) projects, at its upper end, into the area where the normal glazing gasket would be fitted (this area can be seen in the drawing relating to the above-described embodiment at the top right-hand part of hollow upstand Swherethere is a relatively narrow gap and an enlarged recessed area behind the gap for accommodating the rear part of the glazing gasket). By having the lockcase projecting into the glazing gasket area, the ventframe profile can be reduced in size. As a result the amount of material required forthe vent frame is reduced and the sight lines ofthe window are improved. Typically the vent of the lockcase is about 50 mm and accordinglythe gasket has to be cut away around the lockcase area overthis length. However the lockcase remains located within the inner upstand, an upper inner portion merely projecting into an area otherwise occupied by the locating portion of the glazing gasket.

Claims (6)

1. Awindowframeforan open-outwindow including a vent, an inner upstand, the window also including an espagnolettefitting, the gearing of said fitting being located within said upstand.

2. Awindowframe accordingtoclaim 1,which is made of any plastics material, of aluminium, or of wood.

3. A window frame according to claim 1 or2, in which the vent frame is a solid inner upstandwhich has a hole drilled out of itto accommodate the gearing.

4. A window frame according to claim 1 or 2 in which the inner upstand is hollow.

5. A window frame according to claim 1, and substantially as herein described.

6. Awindowframeforan open-outwindow substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.